We're celebrating International Women's Day 2021 in Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside by highlighting local voluntary, community, faith & social enterprise women that inspire us. We asked our Action Together colleagues to nominate local women who inspire them:
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Mary Burke from HMR Circle - Has inspired us by – always being friendly/professional and courteous on the phone, always coming up with a solution to help volunteers and putting your heart and soul into your role.
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Nicky Iginla from Caring and Sharing - You have inspired us with your kindness and devotion to supporting the community during the pandemic – even having food parcels taking over your living space! You always bring a smile to our faces and warmth to every room - be it virtual or real! Thank you.
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Philippa Robinson - You have inspired us with your kindness and dedication volunteering for Miles of Smiles and Tameside Hospital throughout the pandemic.
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Sharon Hall from Noah's Art - You have inspired us by keeping positive and remaining at the heart of the community through Noah's Art during these difficult times.
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Lisa Marie Gee from Open Shutters - You have inspired us by ‘celebrating the mental health survivors’.
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Win Page from Rochdale has volunteered for the Royal Voluntary Service formerly WRVS for decades. In April 2020, at the age of 99 years old before her 100th birthday (28/04/20) Win walked her drive to raise money for the North West Ambulance Service. So far raising £19,000. She is an amazing woman warm and friendly and also quite feisty when there is a passionate cause an inspiration. Win Page You have inspired us by your life long quest to help others.
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Carla Wallace from Chadderton Boxing Club - You have inspired us by providing hundreds and hundreds of packed lunches to all the children and young people in Oldham during the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. You not only provided the lunches but, with Jason delivered them to every home in person. Without the support of Chadderton Boxing Club many children and young people would have gone hungry.
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Mary Adekugbe from the Nigeria Community Association - You have inspired us by sharing African culture, heritage and priorities within all that you do, with your generous work, with your powerful words and always hopeful approach. Thank you.
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Nasrine from Awakening Minds CIC - You have inspired us by your energy and passion to make a difference in your local community. Your commitment and the time you dedicate to be the change is inspiring.
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Imogen Eastwood who is a Community Warehouse Volunteer in Rochdale – You have inspired us by all the hard work, dedication and volunteer time, 50+ hours, you have committed to the community Warehouse throughout January and February.
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Naomi Kenyon - You have inspired us by simply being great in all you do. The amount of work and support you put into the community is astonishing, thank you for all your hard work.
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Sue Smith from Bowlee Community Association and Status4all - You have inspired us by your dedication and passion towards supporting the local community of Langley and Middleton and the time you dedicate to volunteering in your local community.
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Rebecca Marshall and Dawn Fox from Fullcircle nw CIC - They have been volunteering throughout the pandemic to carry out welfare checks on the children and families of South Chadderton and Sholver, and continued to deliver detached youth work when required around the Coalshaw Green Park area.
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Sandra Massey a volunteer at HADRA - During the pandemic in 2020, she dressed up as the Easter Bunny and walked the local streets to raise community spirit. This year she is dressing up as the Easter Bunny and dropping mini easter eggs off for children in her area, she is a lovely person who is always positive and wants the best for her community.
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Janet member of FADRA and friends - During the pandemic, she co-ordinated welfare packs for the community, she personally worked with the Covid-19 West District Hub to tailor welfare packs to meet the needs of families effected by Covid-19, she is kind and would never refuse support. In one case she went shopping for specific items for a family going above and beyond any expectations of a standard welfare pack. Janet is a pillar of the community and supports many local projects she even co-hosted a covid birthday party for a resident who turned 100 in her neighbourhood.
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Caroline Lawson you have inspired us by persevering with your vision for and commitment to Veg in the Park in such trying times, and the support and recognition that you give to your members.
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Rose Johnstone you have inspired us by your unwavering commitment to your community in Sholver and Moorside and your determination in ensuring that here is a vibrant community centre at the heart of your community.
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Catherine Hall from Noah’s Art - You have inspired us by quickly and creatively adapting your Pet’s Befriending Service with your Postal care packs.
- Debs Fidler from Silver Cord - You have inspired us by being so caring and proactive in your community and increasing the reach of your befriending service in order to reduce the isolation of many Tameside residents.
IWD 2021 campaign theme: #ChooseToChallenge
A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.
We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.
From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.
Click here to find out about #IWD2021#Choosetochallenge.